Improvement in bee-hives



sheets--Sheet 1. P. G. EATON. Bee-Hive.

a W M 1 mv/J 1A. W. 3, m 2 w v//4\ rw m u J .nav e f I .m f WE mi m a mWIN M m W m W, f Y m W\ u m.. w j xm. R Y o E N A.. l E

3 Sheets-Shet 2.

P. CT. EATON Bee-Hive.

Patented Jyuly 23,1878y No.A 206,305.

A n G J j@ fg. 0 u. W. M: uw. j O y I Q M f- O on AA UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

FEREGRINE G. EATON, OF SPRINGVILLE, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BEE-HIVES.

Spcciiieation forming part of Letters Patent No. 206,305, dated July 23,1878; application Filed Muy 13, 187e.

To all rwhom it 'indy concern:

Be it known that I, PEREGRINE G. EATON, of Springville, in the county ofErie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements inBee-Hives, of which the folT lowing is a specilication, reference bei ughad to the accompanying drawing.

The object of my invention is the construction of a hive in which thebees will be protected from creeping insects, moisture, and changes oftemperature, in which the entrance can be nicely regulated, and in whichthe interior parts are easily accessible, and adapted to be modified intheir arrangement as eireumstances may require.

My invention consists of the particular construction of the parts, aswill be hereinafter fully Set forth.

In the accompanying drawing, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is alongitudinal section of my improved beehive. Fig. 2 is a crosssectionthereof in line x Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an end view with the outer end boardremoved. Fig. 4 is a similar view with the inner panels removed. Fig. 5is an inside elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the adjustableentrance. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section in line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 isa front elevation oi the entrance.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in each of the figures.

A A represent the side pieces of the hive, and B B the removable endpieces thereof. C C are the bottom boards, and D D the top boards,rigidly secured to the side pieces A A on both sides of thebrood-chamber. E represents the bottom board of the brood-chamber,fitting with its inner end in a groove, c, formed in the lower portionof the side piece, A', as shown in Fig. 2, and held near its front edgeby two buttons, c', pivoted to the under side of the rigid bottompieces, C, so that the bottom board, E, can be readily secured in placeor removed as circumstances may require.

F is the entrance-openingformedin the lower edge of the side piece, A,above the bottom board, E. -F is the wooden frame of the entrance,constructed with inwardly -inclined sides, and arranged in thecorrespondinglyformed opening F of the side piece, A, wherein it issecured by two pivoted buttons, j'. G is a plate, of tin or othersuitable metal, arranged 011 the inner side of the frame F', andprovided with the usual air-holes. The plate G is se cured to the frameF by means of two projecting studs, pins, or screws, g, secured to theframe, and engaging in L-shaped slots g', formed in the plate, so that,when the plate G is arranged with the vertical parts of the slots g inengagement with the pins g, the plate will rest on the bottom board, E,while, when the plate is moved upward and laterally, so as to engage thehorizontal parts of the slots g over the pins g, the plate will besupported above the bottom board at a sufficient height to provide afree entrance for the bees under the plate G from one end of the frame Fto the other.

H is a notch or opening formed in the lower edge of the vplate G, so asto form an entrance for the bees when the plate G rests upon the bottomplate, E.

h h represent two slidinggates arranged ou the inner side of the plate Gin horizontal ways h', so that by moving the gates h to the middle ofthe plate G the opening H can be closed to prevent the egress ofthebees, while by moving the gates h in the opposite direction the openingH can be fully opened. This construction of the entrance enables theopening through which the bees leave and enter the hive to be either'entirely closed orto be made of any desired width until the notch H isfully opened, and, if that is insuiiicient, to .be made as wide as theopening of the frame F', thereby furnishing a means to regulate theopening in accordance with the varying conditions of the weather and theactivity of the bees.

Irepres ents the comb-frames arranged in the brood chamber. The toppieces i of these comb-frames are extended laterally and securedtogether by two longitudinal strips, i i', arranged, respectively, aboveand below the pro- `)'ecting portions ofthe top pieces, i. Thecombframes I are divided into two sets, each set being secured togetherby the strips i', independent of the other set, so that, when it becomesnecessary to divide the swarm, either set may be removed from the hivewith the bees without disturbing the other set of combframes, as shownin Fig. 6. rEhe side pieces of the brood-chamber are each composed oi'an outer board, a, forming part oi' the boards A A", an inner board, al,and an interposed open frame, a2, forming a dead-air space between theboards a al. Sheets a3, of paper or other non-conduct ing material, areplaced between the trame a2 and the boards a al, so as to formnonconduct `ing side walls, which will protect the broodchamber againsteXtreme heat or cold. The lower strips, i, connecting the top pieces ofthe comb-frames I, rest upon the inner boards, al, of the side walls ofthe brood-chamber, supporting the comb-frames above the bottom board, E,so as to as leave an open space for the bees below the comb-frames. rEhetop of the broodchamber is covered by a frame, J, fitted between thestationary top pieces, D l), in one direction and between the topstrips, fi', in the other direction. lThe frame J is provided with apane of glass iu warm weather, and is covered in cold weather by aremovable canvas screen, J", which frame and screen are readily raisedfor feeding the bees.

The end portions of the hive between the brood-chamber and the endpieces B may be filled with comb-frames K or honey-boxes L, as maydesired. When honey-boxes are used a partition-board, M, is arrangedcentrally in the end portion of the hive, as shown in Fig. 4. Thispartition iits snugly between the bottom board, C, and top board,D,andis provided in its top and bottom with saw-kerfs, in which are securedstrips of tin m, which slide in corresponding grooves in the bottomboard, (l, and top board, D. Similar grooves are formed in the sides voithe partition M and in the side pieces of the hive, so that horizontalpartitions may be used, if desired. By this means the partitions can bereadily secured in place when it is desired to use the honey-boxes, orbe removed from the hive when comb-frames are to be used.

N is an open frame, iitted in each cnd of the hive outside oi' thehoney-boxes or combframes, and provided in one of its edges with a stripof rubber, n, whereby the frame is securely held in place. ,O is asecondary frame, ttin g within the frame N, and secured thereto by twopivotcd buttons, p. The frame O is provided with a pane oi' glass forsummer use, so that the workin g of the bees can be examined uponremoving the end b0a1ds,.B. For

winter use the inner frame, O, is covered with canvas or other suitablematerial, and the two framesN and O are then arranged in close proximityto the brood-chamber, so as as to reduce theo pen space ofthe hive asmuch as possible, in order to keep the bees warm. The end boards, B, arefitted in suitable rabbets of the side and bottom boards, so as to beheld securely in placeby ordinary corner-fastenings.

t represents the legs of the hive, made preferably of cast-iron, andsecured to the bottom board, so that they can be readily removed forshipping the hive. The legs R are set in cups S filled with water orother liquid to prevent ants -and other creeping insects from enteringthe hive. The legs support the bottom of the hive at such a height as topermit a free circulation of air under the bottom, thereby keeping thelatter dry. ,y

Y My improved hive is comparatively simple in construction and veryconvenient for use, being easily adapted to the varying requirements ofthe bees.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with the entrance-frame F',provided with studs g, ofthe plate Gr, constructed with the notch H inits lower edge, and having L-shaped slots g', for raising and loweringthe plate G, and sliding gates h 71, for covering or uncovering thenotch H, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The comb-frames I, having projecting top pieces, i, secured togetherby longitudinal strips t" i', arranged respectively on the upper andlower sides of the projecting portions of the top pieces, t',substantially as and for the purpose set forth. y

3. In a bee-hive, the open frame N, provided with rubber strips n, incombination with the inner frame, O, covered with glass or canvas, andsecured in the open frame by pivotcd buttons p, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

JNO. J. loNNnn., EDWARD WILHELM.

